On Monday, former President Donald Trump called for the immediate firing of TV host Jimmy Kimmel by Disney and ABC, condemning a comedic monologue by Kimmel as a "despicable incitement to violence." Trump linked the skit directly to a recent shooting incident at the White House Correspondents' Dinner last Saturday.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump criticized a sketch aired on April 24th on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, where Kimmel pretended to be the dinner's comedian, making remarks about the first lady: "Our First Lady Melania is here. Look at Melania, how beautiful. Mrs. Trump, you have the glow of an expectant widow."
Trump further accused Kimmel of airing a fake video that depicted Melania Trump and her son, Barron Trump, listening in the studio, an act Trump described as "truly shocking."
Linking Comedy to Tragedy
"The following day, a madman attempted to enter the White House Correspondents' Dinner hall, armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and numerous knives. He was there for a very apparent and sinister reason," Trump wrote, drawing a direct line between Kimmel's monologue and the attack.
The shooter, identified as Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old from Torrance, California, fired several shots near the metal detectors at the Washington Hilton hotel. A Secret Service agent suffered minor injuries, protected by his bulletproof vest. Trump, Melania, Vice President JD Vance, and House Speaker Mike Johnson were safely evacuated.
Trump deemed Kimmel's remarks as "far beyond acceptable" and concluded his statement with a firm demand: "Jimmy Kimmel should be fired immediately by Disney and ABC."
Reactions and Ongoing Tensions
Earlier, Melania Trump had also taken to X to express her strong disapproval. "His monologue about my family is not comedy; his words are corrosive and deepen the political sickness in America," the former first lady stated, labeling Kimmel a "coward" and insisting the network take action: "Enough is enough. It's time for ABC to take a stand."
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt—back from maternity leave to address the media—highlighted Kimmel's joke as an example of normalized hostile rhetoric. She noted that Allen's manifesto, left before the attack, was "indistinguishable" from the typical anti-Trump rhetoric found on social media and in the press.
ABC and Disney have yet to comment on the potential dismissal of the host.
Kimmel's History Under Scrutiny
This isn't the first time Kimmel has faced such pressures. Back in September 2025, ABC briefly suspended the show following Kimmel's remarks about the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, under pressure from Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr. The show returned less than a week later, buoyed by a groundswell of public support and a letter signed by over 400 celebrities. In November 2025, Trump again demanded Kimmel's dismissal, accusing him of "liberal bias," to which Kimmel responded with sarcasm in his monologue.
The current controversy arises during a critical time for Disney: Josh D'Amaro took over as CEO on March 18, 2026, succeeding Bob Iger, and this issue marks his first significant test with the Trump administration regarding media relations.
Understanding the Trump-Kimmel Controversy
Why did Donald Trump call for Jimmy Kimmel's firing?
Donald Trump demanded Jimmy Kimmel's firing due to a monologue he deemed as inciting violence, which he linked to a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
What was the content of Jimmy Kimmel's controversial monologue?
Kimmel's monologue included a sketch where he impersonated the dinner's comedian, making remarks about Melania Trump that were viewed as offensive by the Trumps.
How did the White House respond to Kimmel's monologue?
The White House, through Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, criticized Kimmel's joke as contributing to a culture of hostile rhetoric, linking it to the shooter's motivations.